|
|||||||||||||||||
|
James Fisher Martin was born in 1812 in England. He applied for a conditional land certificate on July 29, 1829 for 320 acres of land. At the time, he declared he came to the Republic of Texas March 1838 at the age of 26 and was a single man. His witnesses were H. L. Cook and G. R. Jaques. He surrendered his certificate November 3, 1834 for an unconditional one. James Martin was a doctor by trade and opened an office in Matagorda, shortly after arriving there. He married Miss Julia Ann Eberly, May 28, 1840. The wedding was performed in Christ Episcopal Church by the Rev. Caleb S. Ives. Julia Ann was born in 1822 in Kentucky. Francis Waldmann sold Mrs. Julia Ann Martin a house and lot on September 22, 1842. It was in Lot 6, Block 11, Tier 2, in Matagorda. The deed reads Mrs. Julia Ann Martin, wife of Dr. James F. Martin (druggist). Dr. James Martin was elected as the sixth sheriff of Matagorda County on May 11, 1847 while Governor George Woods was in office. He replaced Joseph Smith who held the office as sheriff from 1846 to 1847. His bond was secured by A. C. Horton, James Plunkett and James Denison for $10,000.00. George Boyer succeeded Martin as sheriff in 1853 and held the office until 1856. Martin’s term as sheriff was a difficult one. Several times he had to arrest Francis Waldmann after Waldmann’s neighbors accused him of stealing their cattle. Another indictment he had to serve was on the first sheriff, Isaac Van Dorn, becausw he was accused of gambling on his knees with his slaves in a game of dice. Van Dorn pleaded guilty and was fined one cent. Then Martin was charged with assault and battery on October 19, 1851 in District Court. It was declared a true bill. Other charges were brought against him, but the worst was March 15, 1852 when he was indicted for murder of Francis Waldmann. Christ Episcopal Church records stated Waldmann, also a member, died of wounds inflicted by Dr. Martin. The case was transferred to Brazoria County and he was cleared on the charges. While the murder trial was pending against him, his wife, Julia Ann filed for divorce, but later had the case dismissed. They left Matagorda after selling the home and lot to John H. Jones on October 5, 1853.
Printed
in Oak Leaves, May 1989, which was a publication of Matagorda
County Genealogical Society |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
